Anticolic nursing device



Nov. 19, 1968 w. c. TICHY ANTICOLIC uuRsmc DEVICE Filed Oct. 6, 1966 INVENTOR. WILLIAM 61 7'16? hm \kwg AIMRA/EY" United States Patent 3,411,648 ANTICOLIC NURSING DEVICE William C. Tichy, Westbury, N.Y. (861 Harbor Drive, Key Biscayne, Fla. 33149) Filed Oct. 6, 1966, Ser. No. 584,775 5 Claims. (Cl. 215-11) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An infants feeding bottle having an elongated siphon tube extending from a nipple at the open end of the bottle to a position near the bottom of the bottle. A plug connects the tube to the nipple. The tube is axially, adjustably connected to the plug and has flow control means at the end near the bottom of the bottle.

This invention relates generally to nursing bottles for infants and more particularly to an improved siphon attachment therefor.

Siphon attachments of the type to be described hereinafter are used as anti-colic means in an infants bottle. Generally the devices are intended to prevent the child from sucking in air when it is feeding. The infant does not have to lift the bottle upwardly to drink. My issued U.S. Patent No. 2,868,203, granted January 13, 1959, teaches the use, in combination with a nursing bottle, of a flexible tube having valve means at the upper end thereof. In the assembled condition the valve is contained in the tube in the area of the nipple. Thus the nipple is maintained substantially filled with the liquid drawn from the bottle and air is prevented from collecting therein.

The prior art contains still other examples of siphons or straw type devices intended for the same general purpose. U.S. Patent No. 2,877,917, issued on Mar. 17, 1959, to Paul A. Brooks, et al. discloses a rigid tube that is pivotally mounted in a collar secured within the nipple. A diaphragm is required over the collar and two ball valves in tandem are employed at the bottom or foot end of the siphon tube. U.S. Patent No. 3,044,650, grantedon July17, 1962, to John Oltion, et al., teaches the use of a flexible siphon having a ball valve at each end and requiring a screen at the top end. In an alternative embodiment Oltion et a1. replaces the upper ball valve with a pivotal float valve at the lower end of the siphon tube.

A characteristic common to the last two mentioned patents is the complexity of the siphon tube construction. Each of these devices requires a relatively large number of components and su'bassemblies and, when the ultimate use of the device is considered, it will be apparent that the cost would have to be disproportionately high. A drawback in all three of the prior art devices described above is that means are not provided to compensate for the variations in size of the bottle made by different manufacturers. Nor are any of the prior art devices capable of being used with both the standard size bottles that are in common use today.

The present invention represents a substantial improvement over my above referenced patent and, in direct contrast to the other art mentioned, a minimum number of parts and assembly steps are required. An elongated flexible tube is provided at its lower end with an enlarged chamber having a ball captured therein to define a foot valve. By this arrangement air cannot be entrapped in the tube. Because the valve is so simple, production costs are low and cleaning and/or sterilization of the tube and valve is very easy. In this connection a novel cleaning device will be described.

"Ice

Another feature of the present invention is the universality of the siphon means. A single flexible tube that is dimensioned initially for use with the larger, 8 oz. milk or formula bottle, may have the length thereof cut and shortened for use with a standard, 4 oz. water or juice bottle. A flat disc having resilient venting means is removably attached to the upper end of either length siphon tube and is captured between the nipple flange and the ransverse face of the screw cap. The present construction compensates for small variations in size among the many bottles manufactured. Not only that, the present invention permits changing of the retaining disc so that a single anticolic device is adaptable to different size bottles.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved, low cost anti-colic siphon tube for use with an infants feeding bottle.

It is a feature of this invention that the above mentioned device is characterized by few parts, few assemblies, and ease of cleaning.

An important object of this invention is to provide an anti-colic siphon tube that may be used with different size bottles.

An advantage of the construction of the present invention is that compensating means are provided for the minor dimensional variations among different manufacturers bottles of substantially the same size.

Another object of this invention is to provide universal mounting means for the siphon tube.

A further object is to provide an improved siphon tube for an infants feeding bottle wherein a valve is used at the bottom end of the tube.

Still another object is to provide an improved siphon tube having only a single ball valve at the bottom end thereof.

A particular object is to provide a simple cleaning tool for the improved siphon tube described above.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will, in part, be pointed out with particularity and will, in part, become obvious from the following more detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which forms an integral part thereof.

In the various figures of the drawing like reference characters designate like parts.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating one embodiment of this invention, the bottle being shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, longitudinal, sectional view of the improved siphon tube shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged fragmentary view, in section, of a portion of this invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional View of alternative means for mounting the upper end of the siphon tube with respect to the bottle and nipple;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the element shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, elevational view of a cleaning tool that may be used with the improved siphon tube;

FIG. 7 is a transverse, sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is another transverse sectional view through FIG. 6 and taken along line 88.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that siphon tube 10 is disposed within bottle B which has a nipple N secured thereto by means of a screw cap C. The siphon tube, made from a flexible, sterilizable plastic, includes a hollow, elongated body portion 12 terminating at upper and lower ends 14 and 16, respectively. Disc member 18 is removably mounted on the upper end 14 of the siphon tube while valve assembly 20 is formed 3 integrally with the lower end 16 of the siphon tube. The foregoing is a generalized description of the relationship of the basic components.

At the present time the siphon tube is molded in plastic, preferably using an easily sterilized material such as medical grade vinyl or silicone rubber. However, the invention is not limited to these materials and as other comparable materials become available, they must also be used. The tube 10 includes an axial bore 21 in communication with the interior of both the nipple and the bottle. At the lower end of the tube the axial bore terminates in an enlarged, hollow valve chamber 22. An aperture 24, the periphery of which defines a valve seat, is formed at the lower end of the valve chamber to admit the fluid contents of the bottle into the siphon table and thence into the nipple.

Because of the inherent resiliency of the siphon tube material a ball 26, that is larger than the aperture 24, may be force fit into the valve chamber. Since the ball diameter is smaller than the interior of the chamber, free movement therein is permitted. When the infant is not feeding, the ball falls downwardly and covers the aperture to define a valve closed condition which prevents the liquid in the tube from returning to the bottle. When the infant is feeding, the ball is pulled upwardly, off the aperture valve seat, together with the liquid. The ball is prevented from seating on the lower end of the bore by means of several projections 28 extending towards the interior of the valve chamber. Thus, even though the ball abuts the projections during the valve open condition, fluid can still bypass the ball.

It should be clearly understood that while a ball valve has been described, a flapper or butterfly valve located at the bottom of the tube may also be employed. The function of either type valve is to maintain the tube full of liquid so that the infant cannot suck in air while feedmg.

In the type of bottles being used today, the nipple is provided with a transverse flange and an annular undercut. The flange is positioned below the bottom transverse surface of the screw cap and is secured thereto by snapping the undercut portion into a central opening in the cap. The cap is then screwed down onto the open mouth of the bottle, thereby compressing the flange to form a seal. conventionally, a pin hole or ribs are provided in the flange for venting purposes.

The present invention includes means for retaining the upper end of the siphon tube in proximity to the interior of the nipple. A plurality of annular, axially spaced first ribs 30 are integrally formed on the upper end of the siphon tube during the molding thereof and a flat, flexible disc 18, having a central opening 34, is removably secured to the siphon tube intermediate two adjacent ribs. As is shown in FIG. 1, the disc is interposed between the nipple flange and the open end of the bottle so that it is a simple matter to select the particular pair of ribs that will assure the positioning of the valve chamber proximate the bottom of the bottle.

Still other adjustment means are available by using the novel disc and tube arrangement. For example, during the molding of the plastic disc 18, a circular score line 36 is provided in at least one surface thereof. Normally the disc 18 is sized to fit the largest commonly used bottle. However, if a bottle having a smaller dimension is used, it is necessary to snap off the peripheral portion of the disc outside of the score line. Plastic material, such as vinyl, makes this a simple matter. It should be noted at this time that there are relatively few different standard bottle sizes so that except for minor dimensional variations, one or perhaps two concentric score lines will provide means for permitting usage of the device with practically all bottles.

The disc member as described above is made from a rigid vinyl plastic. Therefore, in order to provide the necessary venting a radial groove 38 is formed in the underside of the disc. Groove 38 extends inwardly from the periphery of the disc to a point inward of the circular score line 36 on the top surface. If the larger size disc is used, then the full length of groove 38 performs the venting function. When the outer edge of the disc is snapped off, only the outer portion of the venting groove is removed. Thus, regardless of the size of disc used, the underside of the edge is resiliently supported and always includes a vent. Alternatively, a number of different diameter discs could be supplied with each siphon tube.

In order to make a single siphon tube usable with either 4 ounce or 8 ounce bottles, a second set of annular, axially spaced ribs 39 are provided on the body portion 12. When the tube is used with the larger bottles, as shown for example in FIG. 1, the ribs 39 serve no purpose. However, when the device is used with the smaller, 4 ounce bottle, the portion of the tube above ribs 39 is cut off with scissors or the like. The disc is then attached to the second set of ribs in the manner previously described. Obviously, since a plurality of ribs 39 are provided, the valve chamber may be located accurately with respect to the bottom of the barrel in order to overcome manufacturing variations.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate alternative structure for automatically positioning and holding the top end of the siphon tube. Instead of a flat disc, a conical plug 40 is employed. A central bore 42 is provided at its bottom end with a circular lip 44 extending radially inward and arranged to engage the ribs formed on the outside of the tube. The outside of the plug is also formed with annular ribs 46. Since the diameters of the ribs (as well as the grooves therebetween) are successively larger from top to bottom, the plug may be used with a range of nipple and screw cap sizes. Thus still another adjustment range is provided within the basic concept of this invention.

A cleaning device that may be advantageously used With the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. The elongated body portion of the cleaning tool is comprised of a central member 52 having flanges 54 extending outwardly therefrom. The flanges at the lower end of the tool are enlarged as indicated by the reference character 56. Finally, a handle 58 is provided below flanges 56 at the bottom end of the tool.

In use the tool is inserted through aperture 24 and rotated so that flanges 54 scrape bore 21 and flanges 56 scrape the interior of valve chamber 22. It should be noted that the material of the cleaning tool is sufficiently flexible to allow the flanges to collapse as they pass through aperture 24. However, the flanges will spring back to their original positions when the tool is fully inserted. When the tool is rotated the flanges will act on the interior walls in much the same manner as a reamer. Sediment or any other foreign particles will be withdrawn with the reamer but the ball will not come out.

The invention described hereinabove and shown in the drawing overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art structures. With a minimum of structure a ball valve is located at the bottom of the siphon tube thus assuring that the tube in addition to the nipple is maintained full of liquid. There is therefore little likelihood that the infant can suck in air during feeding. Other advantages and features of this invention permit accurate placement of the valve chamber at the bottom of the bottle. This Will overcome manufacturing differences which may be as much as A inch in depth for the 8-ounce bottle and inch in depth for the 4-0unce bottle. Further means are provided on a single siphon tube that permits its usage with either size standard bottle with only a minor alteration. Alternative means are also provided for using the siphon with nipples and bottles of different diameters.

Having thus disclosed the best embodiment of the invention presently contemplated, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made by 5 those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved siphon tube adapted for use With an infants feeding bottle having an open end and a resilient nipple removably secured thereto, said siphon comprising:

(a) an elongated tubular member having first and second ends, said tubular member having a length substantially equal to the bottle and including a plurality of annular axially spaced ribs formed on the outside thereof proximate at least said first end;

(b) a plug member having means for removably attaching said plug member to a selected one of a plurality of axially spaced locations proximate the first end of said tubular member, said plug member having a central aperture dimensioned to receive the ribbed portion of said tubular member; and

(c) unidirectional flow control means disposed within said tubular member proximate the second end thereof.

2. The device in accordance With claim 1 wherein said tubular member includes a first plurality of annular, axially spaced ribs proximate said first end and a second plurality of annular, axially spaced ribs intermediate said first plurality of ribs and said second end, said first and second plurality of ribs being formed on the outside of said tubular member, said plug member having a central aperture dimensioned to receive either said first or said second ribbed portions of said tubular member whereby when said plug member is positioned proximate the open end of the bottle said second end of said tubular member is adjacent to the inside bottom surface of the bottle.

3. An improved siphon tube adapted for use with an infants feeding bottle having an open end and a resilient nipple removably secured thereto, said siphon comprising:

(a) an elongated tubular member having first and second ends, said tubular member having a length substantially equal to the bottle; and

(b) a plug member having means for removably attaching said plug member to a selected one of a plurality of axially spaced locations proximate the first end of said tubular member, wherein said plug member is tubular and includes a plurality of annular, axial spaced ribs on the outside surface thereof, said ribs being dimensioned to be snugly received within the nipple, said plug member having a central aperture arranged to receive the first end of said tubular member.

4. The device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the outer surface of said plug member is conical and said ribs have successively diminishing diametric dimensions from the larger end to the smaller end of said plug member,

5. The device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the central opening of said plug member is defined by a lip extending radially inward.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,446,917 8/1948 Gaimari 21511 2,742,168 4/1956 Panetti 215-11 2,855,127 10/1958 Lerner et al.

2,968,414 1/1961 Thomas 215-11 2,984,377 5/1961 Biondi 215-11 3,044,650 7/1962 Oltion et al 215-11 DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner. 

